Weighing-scale.



B. E. MILLS.

WElGHlNG SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-15,1917- 1 ,272,836. Patented July 16, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

fZU/ZZU)! jergiz 57/1 1245,

m: mmms PETERS ca. PNGTD'LITNO wAsmNc'rvN. n. c

B. E. MILLS.

WHGHING SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15. 1917.

V Patented J uly 16, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m: NQRRIS Pcnsks C0,. PNOTO-Llfnm'. wAs-Imumu, n. c.

Patented July 16, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ms NoRRIs PK'TERS can PHDm LIYNO" WA smmzmm a. c

BEETIE E. MILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WEIGHING-SCALE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Original application filed. April 24, 1917, Serial No. 164,094. Divided and this application filed November 15,

1817. Serial No. 202,093.

To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, BERTIE E. Mitts, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in lVe hing-Scales, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates, more particularly, to improvements in weighing scales of the sac-called spring type, and more especially to spring scales involving a dial having the weighing scale provided thereon in circular form for cooperation with a pointer actuated through the medium of mechanism operated by the application of the weight of a person to the scale, the operation of this mechanism being controlled by a locking mechanism which normally prevents weighing, but which is moved out of position preventin weighing, upon the insertion of a proper coin'or other token, into the machine;

- my invention consisting of improvements in the lockingmechanism provided for the purpose above referred to, and the mechanism directly controlling the movement of the pointer, this application being a division of my application for U. S. patent,'Serial No. 16%t, )9l-, filed April 24:, 1917.

It may be stated as a preface to the recital of the objects of my invention and as bearing upon one of the features thereof, that as scales have been hitherto constructed, it sometimes possible to release the weighing mechanism to such an extent as to effect a more or less accurate weighing ofa person on thescale, without the introduction of a coin into themachine, by a person jarring the weighing platform, as by jumping up and down on it, which it will be manifest is an objectimiable condition.

My objects,- generally stated, are to so improve the locking mechanism of a scale that it will be of simple and inexpensive construction and will avoid the above stated ob- 1 .tionand prevent the scale from weighing unless, and until, the proper coin is deposited in the machine; and to provide coin-operated locking mechanism. which-shall be sensitive in its operation and still be operative to hold the locking means out of locking posit-ion for a sufficientlength of time toperweighing platform being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the portion of the scale shown in Fig.1, with the dial plate and pointer removed, these two figures showing the mechanism in normal position,

it 3 is a broken view like Fig. 1 showing the mechanism in the position it assumes during its actuation by a coin while a weight rests on the platform of the scale. I i: is an enlarged broken section taken at the line 4: on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken at the line 5 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and

Fig. 6, a perspective view ofa detail of the pinionequipped pointer-shaft.

Inasmuch as the invention to which this application relates has to do with only that portion of the mechanism of; a spring scale which is located in the dial-equipped casing thereof usually provided on the upper end of a hollow standard, I have eliminated from the showing in the drawings, everything below the said casin givhich latter is represented at 7 and is of common construction. The rod, through the medium of which the pointer-actuating mechanism is operated, by the application of a weight to the weighing platform, (not shown) is represented at 8,

this rod extending downwardly through the standard 9 where it connects withmechanism, in accordance with common practice, whereby it is caused to lower to an extent commensurate with the weight placed upon thcweighing platform. The upper end. of the rod 8 is connected with a cross-headlO whichconnects at its opposite ends with .--.prings 11 secured at their upperends to lugs 12 extending rearwardly from an an- 7 adjacent its forward edge, the member 14 having an upwardly projecting section 17 for .a purpose hereinafter explained.

The. shaft on which the pointer represented at 1'9 fandwhich cooperates with the scale (not shown) provided on the scale dial 20 secured to thecasing 7 at the flange 13 there of, is secured, is formed of a section 21 ournaled .at 1ts forward reduced end 22 to which the pointer 19 is connected, in a hearing provided in an arm 23 carried by the fra1ne18, a section 24, of smallerdiameter secured as by a set-screw '25 in a socket 26 in the inner 'endo fthe shaft section 21, the section 24 beingjo urnaled in a bushing 27 mounted in a portion of the frame 18. The shaft section 24v carries a disk 28 provided with a shoulder29, this disk beingrigid on the shaftsection 24, the latter also carrying a pinion 30 rotatably mounted on this shaft and having a disk 31 rigid therewith and provided with a shoulder 32 adapted to engage the shoulder 29 A nut 33 screws upon the threaded end of thesection 24 and holds the pinion 30 against displacement. By the arrangement just described, the pointer and shafton which itis carried is free to rotate in a clockwise direction in Fig. 2 except as restrained by the engagement of the shoulder 29 with the shoulder. 32, the means provided for actuating the pointer comprising a cable 34, wound upon the shaft-section 21 and secured thereto at one end as represented, and

connected at its lower end with a lever 35 fulcrumed on the frame 18 at 36. The lever 35: is of such weight that it will operate through the cable 34 to rotate the shaft 21 and with it the pointer 19 except as restrained by the shoulder 32.

The pinion 30 is actuated through the medium of a segmental rack 37 pivoted as indicated at 38 to apart of the frame 18, and meshingat its teeth 39 with the said pinion. The rack .37 has pivoted thereto at 40 a lever 41 which bears against a stop 42 on this rack, under the action of a coiled spring 43 connected with the rack and one end of the lever 41. The arm 17 extends under the right hand end of the lever 41 in Fig. 3 and operates in a well known manner to return the rack 37 to normal position upon removing the weight from the platform. The lowering of the rod'8 upon placing a weight upon the platform, as hereinbefore described,

serves to lower the arm 17 permitting the rackv 37 -to swing downwardly on its pivot 38 when released 'foroperation as hereinafter explained, it being preferred that a coiled spring 44-be connected with the member 14 and leverv41 to insure the swinging of the rack 37 as stated. The lowering of the rack rotates. the pinion 30 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 2, thus permitting the lever 35 through the cable 34 to rotate the pointer relative to the dialto indicate the weight upon the platform.

In the apparatus disclosed the movement of the rack 37 as stated, is controlled through the medium of coin-actuated mechanism embodying my invention. This mechanism comprises a dog 45 fulcrumed as indicated at 46 on a part of the frame 18 to eXtenda-t its nose 47 adjacent the teeth 39 of the rack and so formed and positioned as shown as to preventthe rack from swinging downwardly from the normal position indicated in Fig.1 until this dog is released, but permitting the rack to swing upwardly without obstruction. Thedog 45 has a tailpiece 48 extending at an anglev to the nose portion 47 .thereof withwhich the portion 49 of a lever 50 cooperates. The lever 50 is fulcrumed. at 51 onthe frame 18 and is so arranged relative to the dog45 that in its movement in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 1 to the position showninrigys, the nose 47 of the dog will be rocked out of engagement with the teeth-'39, the lever 50' having an angularly disposed section 52 which connects with one end ofacoil spring 53, the lower end of this spring being connected at 54 with the frame 18, whereby the lever 50 tends to assume the normal position illustrated in Fig. 1 in which the rack 37 is locked. The, lever 50 is provided with a member 55 which normally occupies the position shown in.Fig., 1 wherein it closes the 7 lower end. of r a coinslot 56. When the proper coin, as for instance that represented at 57, is introduced into the slot 56 the weight thereof will rock the lever 50 on its fulcrum 51 to the position shownv in Fig. 3, thus releasing the rack .37 and permitting it to lower when a weight ison theplatform,

as hereinbefore described, the coin 57 automatically disengagingfrom the member 55 and the spring 53v thereupon returning the parts to the position. shown in Fig. 1.

The dog 45 carries a flat spring 58 secured thereto as indicated at 59, this spring ex tending over. the pivot 46 and bearing against the curved upper surface 60 ofthe lever 50, preferably ata point substantially in line vertically with the axis of the pivot 51, this spring tending to rotate the dog 45 in a counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 3. The operation of the scale, considered generally, is as follows: Assuming a person to have stepped upon the weighing platform of the scale, the rod 8 and with it the member 14: lowers to a degree depending upon the weight applied to the weighing platform. In this position the rack 3'Tis locked by the dog 45 andthe pointer remains at zero. Upon dropping a coin into the slot 56, the engagement of the coin with the member 55 rocks the lever 50 and consequently the dog 45 from the positions shown in Fig. 1 to the positions shown in Fig. 3, thus releasing the rack 37 and permitting it to rock downwardly until arrested by engaging the upper end of the arm 17 this movement of the rack rotating the pinion 30 and consequent y the shoulder 32 which permits the lever 35 through the medium of the cord 34L to rotate the pointer to a positionon the scale for indicating the weight on the weighing platform. The member 55, upon the disengagement of the coin 57 therefrom returns to normal position (Fig. l) with the result that the dog 45 moves to a position in which it again prevents lowering of the rack 37. hen the person steps off the platform, the rod 8 and the parts connected therewith are-lifted by the springs 11 to normal position and in this movement the arm 17 by engaging the lever 51 forces the rack 37 upwardly to normal position Fig. 1), the dog 45 in this movement of the rack operating idly. The movement of the rack 3'7 to normal position as stated rotates the pinion SO in countenclockwise direction in Fig. 2 and by reason of the engagement of the shoulder with the shoulder 29 the cable 34 is wound upon the pointer shaft, the lever 35 is raised and the pointer returns to zero position. One of the many advantages of constructing a scale in accordance with my invention is that the danger of releasing the dog 4:5 from engagement with the rack 39 upon jarring the weighing platform, as by a person jumping up and down on it, is avoided, and thus it is not possible to release the dog except through the depositing of a proper coin into the machine. Furthermore the locking mechanism provided is very sensitive in operation and is quick and positive in action, and by the provision of the spring 58, acting against the member 51, the "return of the dog 47 to locking position, after the coin discharges from the lever 55 is delayed sufficiently to insure I the movement of the pointer to proper position for indicating the weight.

Another feature of the mechanism ust referred to is the relatively great leverage exerted against the locking dog by the application of a coin introduced into the machine through the coin-slot, to the lever 50. It will be understood that while the locking mechanism must be so constructed at to positively prevent the lowering of the rack 37, until the'dog is released, it must be releasable positively by the weight of the coin,

these conditions being met in a highly satisfactory degree by constructing the locking mechanism in accordance with my invention.

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction in which my invention is embodied, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and altered withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, it being my intention to claim my invention as fully and completely as the prior state of the art will permit.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a weighing scale, the combinationv of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by-the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member, com prising a dog adapted to engage said shift able member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece, a member engaging said tail-piece and operated by a coin to shift said dog out of engagement with said first namedmember and returnable, automatically, to normalposition for operation by a coin, and a spring yieldingly re. straining the movement of said last-named member to normal position after the coin discngages therefrom.

2. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of the coin therewith to release said member, comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece, a-pivotally supported member engagingsaid tail-piece, and operated by a coin to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member, a spring operating to hold said last named member in position to be engaged by a coin, and a spring yieldingly restraining the movement of said last-named member to normal position under the action of said first-named spring.

8. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member, comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftable 1nemher and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece. a member having a cam engaging said tail-piece and operated by a coin, said cam operating to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member, and a spring yieldingly restraining the movement of said last-named jn'iember to normal position after the coin disengages therefrom.

4; In a weighing scale, the combination of ashiftable .member, me'anstending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against ac tuation and arranged to beautomatically actuated by the engagement of a cointherewith to release said member, comprisingan L-shaped member affording a dog at one end adaptedito engage said shiftable member to hold it-against actuation and witha tailpiece at its opposite end, a third member engaging said tail-piece and operated by a coin to actuate; said second-named member and shift said dog out ofengagementwith said shiftable member, said third memberbeing returnable, automatically, to normal position for operation by a coin, anda spring 'yieldingly restraining the movement of said third member to normal position after the coin disengages therefrom.

5: In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tendingto shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be, automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member, comprising an L shaped membenpresenting at one end, a

dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece at its opposite end, a third member having a cam engaging said tail-piece and'operated by a coin, said cam operating to shift said second-named member andanove said dog out of engagement with said shifta-ble member, and a spring yieldingly restraining movement of said lastnamed member to normal positionafter the coin disengages therefrom.

6. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to bev auto matically actuatedby the engagement ofa coin therewith to release said member, comprising a dog adaptedto engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece, a pivot-ally supported member engaging said tail-piece and operated by a coin. to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member and returnable, automatically, to normal position. for operation by a coin, and a spring yieldingly restraining the movement of said lastnanied member to normal position after the coin disengages therefrom.

7 In a weighing scale,- the combination of a shiftabl'e member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against ac- ;tuation and arranged to beautomatically actuated by the engagementof a coin therewith to release. said member, comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftabl member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail -piece, .a pivotally supported member having a cam-engaging said tail-piece and operated by acoin to shift said dog out of engagement with said firstnamed member, and a spring yieldingly restraining the movement of said last-named member tonormal position after a coin disengages. therefrom. v

S. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means. tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against actuation-and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin there.- with to release said member, comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftablemeniber and hold it against actuation, and provided with a tail piece, a second member engaging saidtail piece and operated by. a

coin to shiftsaididog out of. engagement with said first-named member, and a spring on said dogtending to move said dog into engagement with said shiftable member and bearing against said second member to. yieldingly restrain the movement of the latter to normal position after the. coin. discharges therefrom.

9. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against aetuation and arranged .1 to be automatically actuated bythe engagement of a coin therewith to release saidmember,comprising a dog adapted to engage, saidshiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail-piece, a member having a cam engaging said tailpiece and operated by a coin, said cam operating to shiftsaid dog out ofengagement with said first-named member, and a spring on said dog tending to move the latter into engagement with said shiftablemember and bearing against said last-named memberto yieldi-ngly= restrain the movement of the latter to normal position after the coin disoharges'therefrom.

10. In a weighingscale,the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin. therewith to release said :member, comprising a dog adapted to engagev said shiftable-member and hold it against'actuation and provided with a tail-piece, a pivotally support-.

edmember having a cam engaging said tailpiece and operated by a coin said cam operating to shiftsaid dogout ofengagement with said first named member, and a spring onsaid dog tendingto move. said dOg 1Ill30 engagement with said shiftable member and bearing against said last-named member to yieldingly restrain the movement of the latter to normal position after the coin discharges therefrom.

11. In weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation, a member engaging said dog and operated by a coin to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member, said last-named member being pivotally supported, and a spring supported to yieldingly bear against the latter substantially in a vertical line with its pivot, thereby to retard the rocking of said last-named memher on its pivot.

12. In a weighing scale, the combination of a pivoted lever adapted to be actuated by a coin, a spring supported to yieldingly bear against said lever substantially in a vertical line with its pivot, thereby to retard the rocking of said lever on its pivot, a shift able member, and means controlled by said lever for releasably holding said shiftable member against actuation.

18. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and

means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatieally actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member comprising a dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation, a pivotally supported member engaging said dog and operated by the weight of a coin exerted against it to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member, and a spring operating to force said dog into engagement with said first-named member and bearing against said last-named member at a point substantially in vertical alinement with its pivot.

14. In a Weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, and means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member comprising a pivotally supported lever adapt ed to be actuated by a coin, a pivoted dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail piece, said pivoted member engaging said tail piece for rocking said dog to release it from said shiftable member when. said pivoted member is actuated by a coin, and a spring for forcing said dog to a position in which it engages said shiftable member, said spring bearing against said pivoted member at a point substantially in line with the axis about which the latter rocks.

15. In a weighing scale, the combination of a shiftable member, means tending to shift said member in one direction, means releasably holding said member against actuation and arranged to be automatically actuated by the engagement of a coin therewith to release said member, comprising a pivotally mounted dog adapted to engage said shiftable member and hold it against actuation and provided with a tail piece, a second pivotally supported member having a cam engaging said tail piece and operat ing by a coin to shift said dog out of engagement with said first-named member, the pivots of said pivotally supported members being non-concentric, and a spring yieldingly restraining the movement of said lastnamed member to normal position after a coin engages therefrom.

BERTIE E. MILLS.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

